am i mad??

[irish boy]

am i mad? i have a 96 993 c4 manual with 34k up and have itchy feet. a neighbour is selling his 03 tamora, 12k up with no reported problems. the thing is fantastic to drive and i am tempted but is my heart going to be broken after enjoying trouble free miles in the porsche?or because he has had no trouble so far should it be ok?

[bar_steward]

i think that you're either a TVR man or a Porsche man but thats not to say to can't be cured!!

i think that they are polar opposites when it comes to approaching the 'sports car' thing. if you love your Porsche so dearly then i think you may find the idiocinseies (SP?) of a TVR a little too much to bare.

then again you could always sell it on to me for bargine basement price afterwards!

[AlexRWD]

I think you should go for it!

I think you will find the TVR a welcome shot of character after the reliable, but relatively soulless Porker, but just bear in mind that you are likely to have more niggles to deal with on the TVR.

[maddog-uk]

I jumped from an Audi TT to a Tamora. To be honest I prefer the less clinical approach. Dont worry about the niggles they exist but they dont really need to upset you! The only difference is these are engines that need nicely warming up which means 20 minutes of granny driving when you first go out, now matter how tempted you are to boot it!

GO FOR IT

[gl911]

I have had a number of Porsches from mild to wild, and the same for TVRs, and I must be a strange guy as I love both for different reasons. In any case, it is true that your 911 will give you less trouble, but it is also true that the TVR feeling is a more special one. If you can afford to, keep both ;-)

[deeen]

There is a porsche owner who has been out with the Wiltshire crowd a couple of times. He is a nice guy so we can have "full and frank" discussions about the relative merits.

I have had my TVR for 26 months now. There was a loose bit of leather trim when I bought it (secondhand) that I have never quite got round to sorting out. He spotted it as soon as he looked in the car and his reaction was if he'd paid 25k for a car it would have to be perfect, he couldnt live with that.

Whereas me, when I get the time / money spare, I'd rather spend it on engine, suspension or just more Optimax ( = more hooning!)

Now the modern ones are much better fitted and finished than my old Chim, thats not the point.

What I'm saying is if you want maximum smiles per mile, get a TVR. If every little niggle is going to wipe that smile, think twice.

[K.K.]

This is a decision from the heart, not the head but who cares? I too had itchy feet so I sold my Jag XK8 Convertable and got myself a new Tamora! I have not regretted it. The Tam is a completely different car to the Jag (and I suspect also very different to your Porky) but in my opinion IT IS FANTASTIC FANTASTIC FANTASTIC! But, it goes without saying, make sure the one you are looking to buy is a goodun.

[F1-Red]

I was driving a 996 C4 for the last 18 months, a total boyhood dream come true. The thing is fantastic and does everything so well it really can't be faulted. Or can it? I test drove a T350 and bought it the next day. I've had it for two weeks and yes it is a completely different animal to the Porsche in all respects but it really is the best car I have ever had if when you turn the key and (finally) pull away you have a grin from ear to ear as I do every day. The Porsche was never able to do that. The T350 has it quirks, it is no way as refined as the Porsche, it is raw in comparision but it truely has an amazing ability for making you grin inanely to yourself. If that's what your looking for go for it. Be warned though on top of every thing else the first tank of fuel lasted 105 miles, it's amazing how heavy your right foot becomes!

[finmac]

Irish Boy....

As we discussed earlier, do it if you must but ONLY if the NUMBERS ARE RIGHT, i.e. cash coming your way!

cheers

Your pal from Scotland!

[nick beef]

Was driving 911's before TVR's and can honestly say... once you drive a TVR you'll be hooked, just like the rest of us.... more fun, performance and looks and yes more reliable too...

[irish boy]

thanks for the thoughts guys.
i.m going to take it for another drive at the weekend then its all down to figures.
at least we now have a dealer in belfast now for servicing!!

[ricardo]

irish boy said:

thanks for the thoughts guys. i.m going to take it for another drive at the weekend then its all down to figures. at least we now have a dealer in belfast now for servicing!!

I tried a 994 C4 and a 996 before I went for a Tamora, I reckon the differences are that the 994 is a slightly more refined drive while the Tamora is much more involving; ie you have to drive it rather than just sit in it, which makes it a proper sports car and more fun in my book.

It's all down to what the car's for; do you want more refinement, or more fun?